I Can't Beleive I'm Doing This but I'm Desperate. Need Assistance

[dballance]

I'm a long-time member of DU and have been happy to serve multiple terms on MIRT. I know some of you have disagreed with my posts at times. That's okay. If we all had the exact same opinions this wouldn't be a very interesting place. Here is a link and the text of my gofundme page.

link: http://www.gofundme.com/t2afj27f

2014 was not the best year I've had. In late January I broke my left humerus. The first surgery to fix it didn't work nor did the second surgery to correct the first one.

What is worse is during the second surgery I got a staph infection at the hospital. That meant, that since the bone was infected they had to remove part of it. The upper part that connects to the shoulder. After surgery number 3 to remove the infected bone I was on heavy antibiotics for 8 weeks. That entailed infusing antibiotics three times a day into a catherter that was inserted into my arm and reached right over to my heart.

Needless to say, this was all very bad for trying to maintain the IT Contract work I do.

Finally, I had surgeries number 4 and 5 in September to get a compelete shoulder replacement. That entailed more hospital time and physical therapy.

Through all of last year I lived on my savings and early withdrawals from my pension. Now I'm out of resources. I've applied for food stamps and I continue to seek work. Seeking work is difficult at my age and given I had so much time off.

I have, thankfully the ACA to pay for medical bills. Otherwise I'd have been bankrupt about 4 surgeries ago.

I am, as of May 1st, 4 months behind on rent. I will not be able to pay my car and renter's insurance mid-month. I will also loose my internet-only connection. I cut cable last year and my wireless phone late in the month. I need both of those to continue my job search.

Any help and well wishes would be appreciated.

[marym625]

1. I'm so sorry you have had such horrible things happen

Kicking but I am so sorry I can't help. Wish I could.

Good luck

[dballance]

2. Thanks! /nt

[steve2470]

3. I'd put this in GD and delete it here... many many many more people in GD

A lot of people do not come in the lounge. Best wishes!

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. K&R

Hope things improve.

[Kali]

5. OMG

You have been through hell. I hope you will soon be done with medical crap and on your way to getting your life back. Sent a little to help get things rolling. Good luck!

[dballance]

15. Thank you!

[DJ13]

6. You also might try this site

http://www.gofundme.com/

I'm close to trying it myself.

[freshwest]

7. I understand. I can't even get healthcare, much less hospitalization. Likely have to move next year.

It's a lose-lose situation. I'll be run out of my place as the rent keeps going up over a $100 a month every year now. So it's untenable.

At least I can get my food from the food bank but gee whiz that is all I can get here. The fundme route is great for those who are having emergencies.

Others are in a crisis from month to month or year to year and so ti won't help. We can see the writing on the wall now. Give it a try, it might do you some good. Many DUer are especially good at this kind of thing.

[Petrushka]

8. K & R

Posted the link, etc., on my Facebook page.

Hugs!

[dballance]

14. Thank you!

[Tobin S.]

9. kick

[DFW]

10. Sounds like everything bad coming your way at once.

Just sent you something. Hope you get to look at this from the other side of the tunnel!

[dballance]

12. Thank you!

I've had better years. Spent all day today applying for jobs. Updated the resume again.

I am certain things will turn!

[DFW]

16. Keep up the morale as long as you can

It's your best friend right now. In the meantime, hope a c-note helps.

[Petrushka]

11. Kick

[dballance]

13. Thanks for the thoughts, suggestions and contributions.

I spent all day today updating my resume again and applying for jobs online. What a depressing process - going through all the hoops. But, it has to be done.

I'm sure something will turn up.

[steve2470]

17. bump nt

[Lady Freedom Returns]

18. kick!

Hang in there dballance!

[missingthebigdog]

19. Wow! Goal met!

Looks like someone made a very generous donation! Hope it gets you back on your feet.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

20. +1

Go team!

[TexasBushwhacker]

21. Apply for disability!

If you are approved, you will get paid back pay. If they determine you became disabled in January, you will get paid for July 2014 through whenever you get approved. Personally, I think you should go ahead and get an attorney to help you navigate all the hoops you have to jump through. If you are awarded back pay, they will get a percentage of it, which is controlled by law. I think it's about 30%. You can try getting approved on your own, but it takes a few months at best. Anything you can do to get approved the first time you apply, instead of having to appeal, is money in the bank.

[dballance]

22. Holy Shit! Thanks all.

Thank you all for your support. This is a one-time thing and I appreciate it.

[Rhiannon12866]

23. Just saw this thread, haven't been on DU much lately due to computer issues, but K&R from me!

But I'm back - and on MIRT - and we sure miss you! So sorry to hear all you're going through, and I can identify, was pretty sick myself awhile back, had three surgeries in seven years, and I don't know what I would have done without help and support. Hang in there, my friend! And I just contributed, too, anything for a fellow DUer and MIRTer...

[Puzzledtraveller]

24. Been there

Still there